“I surrender!”
“Help, referee, save me!”
The poison feathers, rising like a swarm of ten thousand swords, bore down with an overwhelming and all-piercing aura that left Xi Yusheng’s face filled with shock and dismay.
He had completely lost his composure.
Even though deep down he knew that admitting defeat in such a battle might mean he could never hold his head high among the many heroes present again,
And that Xu Xiaoshou’s strike might just be a bluff, an empty city ploy with no real power behind it,
After all, how could someone at Yuan Ting Realm possess both an innate physical body and Zongshi-level sword intent?
But Xi Yusheng was still panicked.
He didn’t dare to gamble.
Face was a minor thing; life was paramount.
If that slim chance actually happened, he would lose even the opportunity to develop inner demons.
While crying for help, Xi Yusheng dodged to the side.
Yet Xu Xiaoshou’s sword momentum showed no sign of stopping.
Treating him in kind, truthfully, he didn’t want to stop.
Under the horrified gazes of the crowd, the tens of thousands of poison feathers brutally shattered the last illusions in everyone’s hearts with their raw, piercing force.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Ten thousand swords returning to one!
Ten thousand feathers launching together!
“Help—”
Xi Yusheng could no longer hide his voice of sheer terror, shouting out the vulnerability deep in his heart.
Finally, just as the poison feathers he had shot were about to pierce his own body, a white angelic figure appeared before him.
The referee, without a word, raised a palm.
The void hummed, and a green light barrier instantly covered the front.
The tens of thousands of poison feathers struck it with a flurry of sounds, but it was like hitting cotton—all the force dissipated, and they fell from the air.
“What an impressive technique.”
Xu Xiaoshou was somewhat surprised; the referee was only at Zongshi level, probably around Yin Yang Realm.
Yet this spiritual skill could so effortlessly neutralize a Zongshi sword intent?
“Not bad for someone from the city lord’s mansion; their foundation is truly different.”
Seeing the referee silently steal his thunder,
Xu Xiaoshou felt a spark of competitive spirit.
Truthfully, the real geniuses here hadn’t shown up yet.
If things followed the normal course, he might have to fight for half a day, which would waste too much time.
What if…
Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes shifted, and he felt tempted.
As the poison feathers fell from the air, everyone around relaxed, knowing the battle had ended.
Even the referee completely let his guard down.
He appeared casual, but a spiritual skill was still just a spiritual skill. Even though this peak Zongshi move, “Qing Luan Lian,” could resolve the attack,
The penetrating sword intent had still secretly wounded him.
“What a formidable kid.”
“This guy’s sword intent is the real deal!”
Thinking this, just as he was about to voice some praise, the referee suddenly noticed that at the tips of the falling poison feathers, faint spiritual threads had emerged.
The threads were unassuming, but they appeared abruptly.
Their ends were clearly tied to Xu Xiaoshou’s ten fingers!
“This…”
Before the referee could react, the poison feathers on the ground activated again, bypassing the “Qing Luan Lian” in front of him and heading straight for Xi Yusheng!
Xi Yusheng: ???
He had just been pulled back from the abyss and was thinking about how to save face later, maybe even verbally crush Xu Xiaoshou to keep him from getting too arrogant.
But who knew these severed feathers still had strings attached?
What’s going on?
These are feathers that grew from my own body—how could I not know they had strings!
In his unguarded state, Xi Yusheng could only barely muster a bit of spiritual energy.
But how could a Zongshi sword intent that even the referee’s defensive skill couldn’t fully block stop so easily?
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!
In an instant, blood splattered in the air, and a bloodied figure dropped.
“My heavens, so Xu Xiaoshou’s… is really Zongshi sword intent?”
Using Xi Yusheng as the test subject, the crowd finally verified the authenticity of Xu Xiaoshou’s Zongshi sword intent.
This time, even if they were unwilling to believe it, facing the pitiful, blood-soaked person before them, everyone unconsciously swallowed hard.
It was all real.
This innate physical body was also a Zongshi sword intent!
“Something’s off—if even the Zongshi sword intent is genuine, then…”
“Look at this guy’s physical strength—has anyone considered that he might not be an innate body, but a Zongshi physique?”
In the silent crowd of onlookers, someone suddenly voiced this audacious idea, only to be drowned out by a wave of rebuttals.
“Are you kidding? A Zongshi sword intent is already exaggerated enough—now a Zongshi physique too?”
“Do you think Zongshi are cabbages, one in each hand, two in one person?”
“Xu Xiaoshou!”
Unlike the onlookers, the referee’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’ve already intervened—why didn’t you stop?”
Xu Xiaoshou withdrew his hand.
He was precise in his actions and hadn’t turned Xi Yusheng into a beehive.
At most, he’d turned the guy into a porcupine.
“He attacked me, so I attacked him back,” Xu Xiaoshou stared defiantly. “That’s it!”
The referee was furious. “You weren’t even hurt—he didn’t touch you at all.”
“Not hurt, so I can’t fight back?”
Xu Xiaoshou was amused too. “Not being hurt just means I’m too strong, not that he lacked killing intent.”
“If an ordinary Yuan Ting Realm couldn’t handle that strike, what do you think would happen? You should know.”
“Is holding a knife without cutting someone innocent?”
The referee was momentarily speechless.
Truthfully, even if Xu Xiaoshou had killed the man, it wouldn’t have been wrong.
He only said that because, as the referee, he had stepped in, and Xu Xiaoshou still chose to attack, making him lose face.
He huffed and waved his hand, his momentum weakening a bit, but he clearly still wanted to argue.
“You didn’t even say the match was over.”
Xu Xiaoshou blocked his path completely.
The referee’s face paled with anger, trembling as he turned, picked up Xi Yusheng, and vanished in a flash.
“Received curse, passive value, 1.”
“Received admiration, passive value, 898.”
“Received fear, passive value, 232.”
The crowd below immediately buzzed with chatter.
“Strong!”
“So strong!”
“Where did this Xu Xiaoshou come from? Not only is he quick with words, but his strength is no joke—I thought he was just an impulsive devil.”
“Misjudged him—this guy isn’t impulsive at all. At most, he’s just a devil.”
Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, watching the passive values in his info panel rise steadily as the battle ended, feeling quite satisfied.
He had suddenly discovered that during a fight, the passive values he gained, aside from “receiving attacks,” were pitifully low.
In contrast, the pre- and post-battle trash-talking and arguing, if he performed well, yielded far more rewards.
“How strange.”
“This person’s mindset is really something else.”
“I fought so brilliantly, even unleashed Zongshi sword intent, and these guys just had a wave of doubts and nothing more.”
“Instead, arguing with that dim-witted referee got me more…”
Xu Xiaoshou shook his head with a laugh, thinking no further.
This bold fighting style had truly intimidated everyone present.
All eyes were fixed on Xu Xiaoshou, and even though the number three platform was empty, no one chose to challenge it.
“Your turn.”
Glancing over, Xu Xiaoshou looked toward the number three platform.
There was a guy whose legs were shaking, but from the waist up, he still looked tough.
“Xu, Xu Xiaoshou, don’t think that because you beat two people, I’ll be afraid of you!”
“If you’ve got the guts, come over… but if you come to my platform, your two wins will reset to zero!”
The crowd below booed instantly.
These were all young people who worshiped the strong.
Even if Xu Xiaoshou was annoying, he had shown real strength.
But this guy on number three was just embarrassing himself.
“If you’re scared, just admit it—why deny it?”
Xu Xiaoshou laughed and leaped over, landing on the number three platform.
“Do you really think I care about those two wins?” He sneered.
The man on the number three platform was completely stunned.
This…
He was just giving up the two wins he had earned?
What incredible confidence!
Did he really think getting ten straight wins here was that easy?
“Received doubt, passive value, 1.”
Admittedly, Xu Xiaoshou’s jump surprised many.
They could talk big, but who here would actually give up those two wins?
Probably very few!
“Received doubt, passive value, 1244.”
“Received admiration, passive value, 1238.”
Xu Xiaoshou looked at the man before him, his gaze dropping to the trembling legs he couldn’t hide.
“Are you at Ju Wu Realm?” he asked.
The man swallowed hard and nodded slowly.
“Peak?”
“Y-yes.”
“What’s your name?”
“Cui Shang.”
“Alright, whether you’re all talk or have some substance, I, Xu Xiaoshou, will give you a chance.”
Xu Xiaoshou said with a smile, lifting his chin.
“Hit me with a punch. If you can make me step back even a little… no, even just a bit, you win, and I’ll surrender.”
“This…” Cui Shang’s face turned bright red in an instant.
He felt insulted.
A mere Yuan Ting Realm guy, someone he could’ve handled with one hand before, was now throwing his own words back at him.
But thinking of the man’s record and that terrifying strength that didn’t match his cultivation, Cui Shang nodded.
“Fine.”
“Don’t do it, Cui Shang—surrender now!”
From below, someone shouted in alarm.
Xu Xiaoshou glanced back, the face familiar.
With his “perception” and good memory, he recognized this as the person who had stood by and watched when Qiu Dejian attacked him earlier.
So, he knew his tactics?
“Shut up.”
Xu Xiaoshou snapped.
The person shrank his neck but didn’t back down, instead looking at Cui Shang and urging, “Cui Shang, calm down! I saw this guy earlier—he…”
“What’s your name?” Xu Xiaoshou interrupted.
The person paused, unafraid—after all, he was in the crowd; could Xu Xiaoshou really come after him?
“Cheng Qiuhua!”
Without another word, Xu Xiaoshou jumped off the platform, grabbed the chatty guy, and leaped onto the number two platform.
“Cheng Qiuhua, right?”
“I challenge you.”
The scene fell silent.
The crowd: ???
“Received doubt, passive value, 1420.”
Unlike the other spectators, Cheng Qiuhua, standing in front of Xu Xiaoshou, turned pale green on the spot.
He never imagined this guy would go this far off-script!
Why not play by the rules?
I didn’t even accept your challenge!
“I won’t fight!” Cheng Qiuhua said stubbornly.
Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes scanned down.
“Saying no with your mouth, but your body’s being honest—you’re already on the platform, playing hard to get?”
Cheng Qiuhua staggered.
On the platform?
I was dragged up here by you!
“Let go of me!”
He glared and shouted.
Xu Xiaoshou bared his teeth, covering his ear with a frown.
“Sorry, sorry…”
Cheng Qiuhua wilted instantly. “Let me go—I didn’t mean to shout that loud.”
“Received request, passive value, 1.”
Xu Xiaoshou: …
He was amused too.
“You’re not from Tian Sang City, right? Which city are you from?”
“Tian Xu City.”
Xu Xiaoshou looked toward the number three platform, where the uncertain Cui Shang stood, not sure whether to stay or go.
“What about you?”
Cui Shang hesitated: “Tian Feng City. Why?”
Xu Xiaoshou burst out laughing, shoved Cheng Qiuhua away, and scoffed, “I thought I was just ignorant—besides Tian Sang City, I hadn’t heard of any other cities in Tian Sang County.”
“But today, I see I was totally wrong!”
“If all the cities in Tian Sang County produce weaklings like you, no wonder I’ve never heard of your names!”
The thick sarcasm wasn’t just a slap to the face of the collapsed Cheng Qiuhua—it swept over the crowd below, leaving everyone stunned.
“Good one!”
Shou Ye’s eyes lit up in his red robes.
If this was their first meeting and Xu Xiaoshou said that, he’d have wanted to slap the kid dead.
But after seeing his strength, this disdain for all talents was exactly the fearless heart Shou Ye needed!
“A fine seedling!”
Shou Ye tapped his fingers, his eyes burning. “Where did this Xu Xiaoshou come from… doesn’t matter. I’m claiming him as my successor!”
Fu Xing, on the banquet platform, listened with excitement.
He wished his late father could emerge from seclusion and hand over the family, so he could rush up and beat Xu Xiaoshou to the ground.
Then, use this guy’s slightly mocking tone to say such taunting words.
“How satisfying that would be…”
Fu Xing clenched his fist.
He glanced at the women at the banquet and saw many adoring gazes.
There were plenty of beautifully dressed young women tonight.
Xu Xiaoshou’s display had already won over quite a few.
And sure enough, after this remark, the flower-like girls were even more starry-eyed.
That arrogant posture, that disdainful demeanor…
It was infuriating!
We’re included in the insult!
But why does it make this Xu Xiaoshou seem even more captivating?
“Received admiration, passive value, 142.”
“I just love his shameless, sharp tongue…”
A woman murmured unconsciously.
Before she could panic, a “mm-hmm” came from beside her.
The two exchanged looks, their faces flushing red, and they quickly turned away.
Unlike the women’s reactions, the stimulated young men were like enraged gorillas, unable to contain their agitation!
After a moment of silence, the crowd erupted.
Xu Xiaoshou’s words were no longer just aimed at his opponents.
That line, “Besides Tian Sang City, I don’t know any other in the county,” was clearly a hard slap to the face of nine out of ten young people here.
“Xu Xiaoshou, you’re too arrogant—do you really think you can handle all our challenges alone?!”
“Exactly! Do you think Tian Sang City can crush all the other cities?”
“Tian Sang County? Is Xu Xiaoshou from there? I’ve never heard of him.”
“Huh?”
The young people were in an uproar.
“If he’s from Tian Sang County, why isn’t he a disciple from one of your major families? How could he have this kind of strength?”
“Are you kidding? ‘Everyone in Tian Sang City is a Xu Xiaoshou’?!”
“As if!” Someone immediately retorted.
“I want to beat this Xu Xiaoshou, but I’ve never heard of him before—he seems to have appeared out of nowhere tonight.”
“Wait, really?”
“Xu Xiaoshou, what’s your background? Fess up!”
Xu Xiaoshou looked at the restless crowd and thought that the real heirs of major families had impressive composure.
Even now, they wouldn’t step forward?
When would they wait?
Still observing?
“Tian Sang Ling Gong, Xu Xiaoshou!”
He hovered in the air, overlooking everyone. “I’m not saying this to brag, but you all—when are you going to make your move?”
“Xu Xiaoshou?”
Everyone selectively ignored what he said next.
“Never heard of him. Is he not in the inner court? Maybe one of the new thirty-three?”
“The inner court?”
Xu Xiaoshou smirked: “I’m from the outer court. In our Tian Sang Ling Gong outer court, everyone’s a Xu Xiaoshou.”
“Pfft.”
Su Qianqian, at the banquet, couldn’t hold back her laugh.
In that moment, the gloom that had hung over her for days seemed to dissipate a bit.
Xu Xiaoshou withdrew his gaze and changed the subject: “So, after all that, you still won’t challenge me?”
As his eyes swept over, the group that had been boldly shouting moments ago started avoiding his gaze.
They all said they would, but who wanted to be the first to get crushed?
“Heh, if no one challenges him, we might as well let this kid advance directly!” Shou Ye suddenly spoke up.
Fu Xing was startled.
Then his eyes burned with excitement.
One person, with sheer presence, suppressing all the young talents?
What audacity!
He wanted so badly to be Xu Xiaoshou right now and bask in that glory.
But he couldn’t.
As the host of the city lord’s banquet, he had to stay composed.
“Agreed.”
Fu Xing nodded calmly and added, “Since this has never happened before, if no one challenges Xu Xiaoshou within a incense stick’s time, he gets all five Bai Ku spots!”
Shou Ye’s lips twitched with a smile.
This Fu Xing…
What a clever nephew!
He knew there were still many strong ones who hadn’t stepped up.
And there were plenty of Bai Ku spots left.
These people would play it safe—even if Xu Xiaoshou finished his show, they wouldn’t rush in.
But now, it was different!
Five spots…
Who could resist?
Sure enough, the crowd couldn’t stand it.
If he took five spots, Xu Xiaoshou alone would be worth a major family in Tian Sang County!
No way!
“I—”
Someone called out to step forward, but seeing Xu Xiaoshou standing proudly in the air, they hesitated.
“An innate body at great completion, possibly a Zongshi physique…”
“A confirmed Zongshi sword intent…”
“How the hell do you fight that?”
“He looks like such an easy target!”
Xu Xiaoshou grew impatient.
These people were too timid—even after all this, they were still holding back?
He had only meant to show a bit more strength to avoid a tedious string of fights.
Who knew that after revealing just a little, everyone froze?
His gaze shifted to the platforms on either side—such eyesores.
Today, he was set on raking in those passive values!
Whoosh, whoosh!
Two fire seeds shot from his hand, landing on the adjacent platforms.
Boom!
The two unshielded platforms shattered in an instant.
The flying debris and surging winds only made Xu Xiaoshou in the sky seem more imposing.
Xu Xiaoshou flicked his sleeve and said coolly, “I’ve cleared the obstacles for you.”
“Now, even if those platforms were holding you back, they’re gone.”
He opened his arms, his expression turning persuasive and encouraging.
“Come on, warriors! Challenge me, conquer the great demon king in your hearts!”
“Better to die standing than live on your knees, young ones!”
[48 seconds from now] Chapter 488: Trash Beast Fire, What Can You Do to Me?
[7 seconds from now] Chapter 702: Slaying God
[6 minutes ago] Chapter 487: That Sword Energy That Causes Despair and Collapse
[7 minutes ago] Chapter 701: Divine Ability
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